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An $8 million restoration project is under way to bring back the iconic Circle Food Store on St. Bernard Avenue. The initiative will create 75 new jobs.

Located at the corner of St. Bernard and North Claiborne avenues, the Circle Food Store provided groceries, banking, doctor offices among other services since 1938. Those services stopped when Katrina damaged the building in 2005.

“The Circle Food Store was not only a full service grocery, it was a warm and welcoming community hub for generations of New Orleans residents and the first African-American owned and operated grocery store in our city,” said Mayor Mitch Landrieu. “Bringing it back is a major accomplishment, and we’ve reached this milestone because of the perseverance of Dwayne Boudreaux, who was determined to see the Circle Food Store return better than it was before. I commend him for never giving up on this iconic store.”

Boudreaux took over the store in 1991.

“The city’s support through the Fresh Food Retailer Initiative and the Economic Development Fund was instrumental in helping us get to this point, and the Berger Co. provided invaluable guidance through the funding process. Now, I look forward to the day when our doors open again for customers,” he said.

Te total estimated cost for the restoration is pegged at $8 million.

The store qualified for historic tax credits and was successfully registered as a federal landmark in 2012.

The project was designed by John C. Williams Architects and the general contractor is the McDonnel Group. The drop ceilings have been removed to reveal wooden trusses and will allow natural light in from skylights. While modern alterations will occur, the store’s distinctive curved facade and white and green color scheme will remain.